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The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the Silver Star Medal (Posthumously) to Charles B. Seminara (121264398), Staff Sergeant, U.S. Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving with Company E, 2d Battalion, 3d Marines, 3d Marine Division (Rein.), FMF, in connection with combat operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam on August 10, 1969. By his courage, aggressive fighting spirit and steadfast devotion to duty in the face of extreme personal danger, Staff Sergeant Seminara upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.

During the summer of 1969 the North Vietnamese Army made repeated attempts to drive Allied forces from the heights of Mutter's Ridge, which formed a portion of the southern boundary of the DMZ. According to the Command Chronology for the 2nd Battalion, 3rd Marines on 10 August Echo Company, 2/3 Marines, lost 19 men in heavy fighting near Hill 484.
On the night of 09/10 August the 3rd Platoon, Echo 2/3 and the attached portion of the 81mm Mortar Platoon, H&S 2/3 established a night defensive position near Hill 484. At 0415 on 10 August the position was attacked from three sides by NVA regulars. Although the NDP perimeter was breached the Marines held out and the NVA withdrew - but only to reorganize. At 0615 the NVA attacked again, this time under cover of a heavy mortar barrage. Once again, the Marines held and the NVA withdrew. At 1015 on 10 October, reinforcements from Alpha Company 1/3 Marines began to arrive. As noted, by that time the men from 2nd Platoon Echo 2/3 and the Mortar Platoon elements had incurred 19 men killed in action and 75 wounded - in effect, every man in the NDP was dead or injured.